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After a shortened season — and a somewhat shorter off-season — the Senators will go back to work Wednesday when the players report for medicals at the Canadian Tire Centre to kick off training camp.

Not only will the rink have a new name, its No. 1 occupant will have a bold, new look after an off-season of change that saw captain Daniel Alfredsson bolt as an unrestricted free agent on July 5 to sign with the Detroit Red Wings.

While he was the biggest name out the door — along with veteran defenceman Sergei Gonchar — the arrival of winger Bobby Ryan from the Anaheim Ducks certainly helped soften the blow of Alfredsson's untimely departure.

After making it to the second round last spring, the Senators arrive at camp with big expectations. Here's what to watch for as the race for the playoffs officially begins:

WILL JARED COWEN BE IN CAMP?

The Senators and Cowen's agent Rick Valette have work to do if this deal is going to get done.

League sources say Cowen is looking for a four-year deal at $3.5 million per season while the Senators have offered in the $2.5-to-$2.8 million range. If Cowen takes an eight-year deal, he can make $3.5 million per year.

The Senators want to be careful with how they slot their defencemen on the salary scale and that's why they want Cowen at the right price. Marc Methot, who is making $3 million, is two years away from unrestricted free agency.

Cowen has played only 90 NHL games. He isn't expected to report to camp if he doesn't have a contract. The Senators don't want him to miss any time because they don't want to hamper his development. This could get heated.

CAN SPEZZA SHOULDER THE LOAD?

The time has come for Jason Spezza to wear the 'C.'

Out of respect for Daniel Alfredsson, nobody wore it when he was injured because he was regarded as the owner and the organization didn't feel it should be passed around. It makes sense for this issue to be settled on Day 1 of camp.

GM Bryan Murray and coach Paul MacLean will likely meet with the players either the night before camp begins or after medicals take place. At that time, it might make sense to introduce the captain to stop the lingering questions.

Sure, they could spend camp passing the 'C' around and letting different guys wear it to see how they react, but Murray and MacLean know these players. They don't need any more time to evaluate who should get the job.

Spezza has paid his dues and still has years ahead of him. He's been a good soldier for the organization, he's taken on the leadership role and can handle the daily demands from the media that go with wearing the 'C' on your jersey.

IS ERIK KARLSSON HEALTHY?

The Senators' top defenceman made a remarkable recover from his severed Achilles tendon to play in the playoffs.

However, he wasn't nearly the same player.

Karlsson has had the summer to rest. Speaking of leaders, it might be time to give him some responsibility as well by putting an 'A' on his chest. He has a long-term contract and is certainly part of the club's plans down the road.

A healthy Karlsson will make a huge difference. He eats minutes. He makes things happen. The offence on this team -- which has to improve -- will run through Karlsson. If he's fully recovered, he can return to being unstoppable.

WILL RYAN BE FLYIN'?

The day he was dealt to the Senators, Bobby Ryan proved he was excited by tweeting: "Ottawa I'm coming in hot."

Well, the heat will be turned up starting Wednesday.

Ryan will likely start camp on a line with Jason Spezza and is a proven scorer. He's had four 30-plus goal seasons with the Ducks. The belief is he'll score 40 goals if him and Spezza are able to stay healthy all season.

The Senators paid a high price to get Ryan, but after losing Daniel Alfredsson they wanted help immediately. Jakob Silfverberg and Stefan Noesen are both strong prospects, but Ryan has shown he can get the job done in the past.

The key: He's excited to be here and the organization is excited to have him. This should be a good fit.

CAN THEY HANDLE THE EXPECTATIONS?

Nothing was expected of the Senators the last two years.

Goalie Craig Anderson was the difference in getting the club to the playoffs many nights. He needs to pick up where he left and will get pushed for playing time by backup Robin Lehner, who won't have to worry about being sent to Binghamton again.

The Senators won't be sneaking up on anybody this season after knocking off the Montreal Canadiens in Round 1. The newly-formed Atlantic Division presents a challenge of its own with the Detroit Red Wings one of the opponents.

Hope springs eternal at this time of year and there is plenty of excitement surrounding the Senators. The road to the playoffs officially begins Wednesday.

WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT, ALFIE?

The decision by Daniel Alfredsson to sign with the Detroit Red Wings caught the city off guard.

The conspiracy theories remain. Words have been exchanged by both sides. The questions as to why he left will linger for awhile. They'll get louder when the Senators arrive in the Motor City on Oct. 23 to face the Wings.

But life will officially go on without the club's legacy player when camp gets underway. The void in the room has to be filled. The torch -- and the captain's 'C' -- will be passed to someone else -- likely centre Jason Spezza.

The Senators will have to get used to life without Alfredsson. Not only was he the straw that stirred the drink, on many nights he was one of the club's best players. His departure leaves a hole on the right side that must be filled.

BY THE NUMBERS

6: That's the number newly-acquired winger Bobby Ryan will wear for the Senators this season. He wore No. 9 in Anaheim, but that number is currently held by winger Milan Michalek. Ryan will become the fourth player in team history to wear No. 6 -- the last was defenceman Wade Redden. Blueliners Gord Dineen and Chris Dahlquist also wore No. 6.

.566: Paul MacLean's winning percentage since he took over behind the bench with the Senators in 2011-12. The winner of the Jack Adams Trophy last June has a 65-48-16 record in his first two seasons. He signed a three-year extension in the off-season after the club made it to the second round last season. What does MacLean do for an encore?

116: The number of goals the Senators scored last season. They were the lowest-scoring team in the playoffs, but spent much of the time without top players Jason Spezza, Erik Karlsson and Milan Michalek. They relied heavily on the goaltending of Craig Anderson to win every night, but need to create more offence this year.

Ottawa Senators training camp preview

After a shortened season — and a somewhat shorter off-season — the Senators will go back to work Wednesday when the players report for medicals at the Canadian Tire Centre to kick off training camp.

Not only will the rink have a new name, its No. 1 occupant will have a bold, new look after an off-season of change that saw captain Daniel Alfredsson bolt as an unrestricted free agent on July 5 to sign with the Detroit Red Wings.

While he was the biggest name out the door — along with veteran defenceman Sergei Gonchar — the arrival of winger Bobby Ryan from the Anaheim Ducks certainly helped soften the blow of Alfredsson's untimely departure.

After making it to the second round last spring, the Senators arrive at camp with big expectations. Here's what to watch for as the race for the playoffs officially begins: